Author's Note: Okay. It's been...nearly four months since my last update. My bad...?
(In my defense, this summer has had more gaming for me than I've had in years; Tears of the Kingdom, Elden Ring, Final Fantasy XVI, Street Fighter 6...)
(And my little Xenoblade 3 sidestory has also devoured much of my writer's brain in the gaps between game sessions...)
Anyhow, back to the story!
xxxx
Sokila frowned as she tried reading a long string of Japanese characters.
"...Elizabeth-senpai, I have a question."
For some reason, the characters seemed familiar.
"Oh?" Elizabeth slid up besides the younger Attendant. "Inquire away!"
Sokila pointed up at the text. "Why did my Guest call Miss Sohryu a butt?"
...oh. The words were from his notorious 'text' to Asuka.
"Hmm~" Elizabeth chuckled, briefly slapping the side of her hip for emphasis. "Perhaps he was thinking of something he shouldn't have~?"
Sokila tilted her head with confusion. "Why would it be bad to think about butts?"
"Well-"
Elizabeth was abruptly clotheslined by a flying Lavenza, having been thrown from afar by Margaret.
Sokila blinked at the sudden bedlam, her train of thought utterly derailed by the impromptu violence. "Wait. Are we wrestling? I wanna wrestle!" With a gleeful smile, she hopped over towards Theodore, ineffectually tackling his shins.
For some reason, the man sighed, as though a crisis had been averted(?).
The faint haze of blue began to brighten-
xxxx
/Thursday: September 10, 2015/
/Room 23, 2nd Floor, Izanagi Dorms, Hakone Academy/
Shinji Ikari blinked dully, eyeing his phone — the time was 5:33 AM; not even six hours of sleep — before pondering the state of his thoughts. That felt weird, he inwardly mused, impulsively stretching his limbs to get the kinks out. He idly looked at the new messages received since last night; apparently, Asuka had taken a night mission on his and Ayanami's behalf. No other alerts had gone out, so she had apparently done well? I hope so...
xxxx
As the sun rose over Tokyo-3, Hikari Horaki looked with concern at Asuka Langley-Sohryu. "Are...you sure you're fine?"
The redhead looked at her with a frown, the effect pronounced by the slight bags under her eyes. "What are you talking about? I did just fine."
"Your mission took you through Nagano, Toyama, and Gifu Prefectures," idly remarked Rei Ayanami, looking well-rested by comparison...not by much, but still. "You only returned twenty minutes ago."
"And? That's what the mission required," retorted Asuka, holding her nose up. "I'm no weakling."
"Still, if it's going to impact classes," began Hikari, trailing off only when Asuka raised a judgmental eyebrow. "I'm serious!"
"Sohryu-san will be allowed to sleep through class if she needs to," observed Mayumi, idly looking around as their fellow students filtered towards Hakone Academy.
Asuka seemed personally offended by the idea. "Oh come on, last night's mission was nothing! These classes are even less than nothing by comparison. I'll be fine."
xxxx
Less than five minutes after first period began, Asuka sunk her head into her arms, staring mulishly at the chalkboard to follow along. (And of course the Third Child was in the way, sitting up straight like a 'proper' student...bleh. He was irritating. His stupid back was in the way...)
Within two minutes, she was out like a light.
xxxx
As Takao-sensei departed after the end of first period, Shinji turned around to glance at Asuka's slumbering form. "Last night's missions must have taken it out of her..."
"Apparently," remarked Kensuke, his eyes looking rather calculating. "...you know, if she didn't strike me as the spiteful type, I'd totally draw on her face..."
Shinji blinked. "...why?"
"Just a bit of harmless fun! It'd be like the time Toji fell asleep after a track meet in our first year; his face was loaded by the end of first period..."
"...but was he upset once he woke up?"
"He was," flatly replied Kensuke. ("I was!" echoed Toji's voice from further ahead, before he was loudly shushed by Hikari.)
Shinji tilted his head with genuine confusion. "If you knew that, why would you-?"
"Because it was no big deal, obviously." Lightly shrugging, Kensuke added, "He got back at us later, which is normal: friends pick on each other in lighthearted ways all the time."
"...it just seems kind of counterproductive." Even though he could see the reasoning, he nonetheless had an issue. "Plus...I don't think you and Asuka are friends." Not yet, at any rate.
Kensuke huffed, leaning back in his chair.
"...is it just because you're still upset over how easily she beat you during our first training session?"
"No," quickly retorted Kensuke. ("Yes!" echoed Toji once more, before he was set upon by one of the Class Rep's patented 'Glares of Doom'.)
Shinji shook his head, privately wondering how long it would take his friends to become truly comfortable with Asuka's presence. Alas, those thoughts quickly went away as his phone buzzed with a particular alert. Another mandatory mission, he thought to himself with a frown. He quickly sent a text in the Evangelion Group chat — for the sake of record-keeping, if nothing else — that he would take it. He gave one glance to Ayanami (who returned his look with a knowing nod) before briefly advising the Class Rep that he would be stepping out. And so it continues...
xx
Kensuke watched quietly as Ikari left, right as Ibuki-sensei entered; the boy bowed out of deference to the teacher, doubtless apologizing for having to depart. Man, I wish we had a 'get out of class' card like he does, he inwardly mused, even as he glanced towards the slumbering Sohryu. Hmm...I wonder what would happen if I drew 'Asska' on her face-?
A sudden chill, akin to the promise of death, descended upon him with all the ferocity of a typhoon.
With deliberate slowness, Kensuke turned back to the front of the class, where Hikari was glaring at him with the eyes of a hawk. Or a snake. Or a panther. Or some weird flying feline python hybrid, crap he couldn't think well when terrified!
Hikari simply shook her head. 'Don't do whatever it is you're thinking about', she seemed to say with but a gesture.
Kensuke, knowing that she somehow knew what he was thinking, shook his head as well. "I'll behave," he mouthed, not quite squeaking.
Nodding stoically, Hikari turned back towards the front of the class as Ibuki-sensei began her lesson.
...GEEZ, she's terrifying. He looking briefly at Toji, who was eyeing him as though he had a death wish. 'Look, it was just an idea! Get off my case!' he tried to communicate with his eyes alone.
Asuka mumbled briefly in her slumber, completely ignorant of everything that had just transpired.
xxxx
/The Metaverse/
Within the boundaries of Tochigi Prefecture, Shinji Ikari finally sat down, utterly exhausted: amidst the cognitive forests within Tochigi Prefecture, an Acolyte's Shadow slowly dissolved into nothingness. "...how long has it been...?" he asked aloud, even as Hamlet sat down with a tired sigh. His mind seemed to have been stretched too far, having fought a few dozen Acolytes over the past number of hours. When I checked the time in the real world, it was past two o'clock in the afternoon...school's almost over. It was only thanks to the harrowing circumstances he had faced thus far since becoming an Evangelion-user that he hadn't felt the need to request back-up. Not yet, at any rate.
"You've been busy today, haven't you?"
Only the familiar tone of voice kept Shinji from yelping out of shock; tired as he was, he could only turn his head to tiredly gaze at Mister P. "Hello...how long have you been there...?"
"Not too long. Been watching your performance over the last few battles. You've certainly become more determined, haven't you?"
"...I'd like to think I have," he quietly admitted, still feeling somewhat bashful about the admission. (It was one thing to feel more confident in one's self with the passage of time; it was an entirely different thing to talk about it out loud, especially with someone else.) "Why do you ask?"
The burly bird-man quietly stood up, pacing about underneath the otherworldly black-and-red sky of the cognitive world. "Do you ever ponder what it means to change your mind?"
"...huh?"
"To look upon the course you've decided upon, one chosen with tremendous deliberation...only to see its effects on certain individuals, and wonder if the end result is worth it?" His red mohawk lightly swayed in the mental wind, courtesy of Kodama and Sudama Archetypes gently floating by (what irony, that Shinji and Mister P were so beyond them in strength that they did not feel threatened in the least...for what benefit would the two gain in fighting such weak cognitive reflections?). "A truly vexing thing: intellectually acknowledging the downsides of your plan of action ahead of time is one thing; witnessing them is quite another."
Given recent thoughts and conversations related to Mister P he'd had recently, only one thing came to mind. "You're referring to Misato-san, aren't you?" When Mister P didn't answer immediately, Shinji mustered forth his determination — ironclad enough to brush past the enigmatic figure's usual mannerisms — and asked a question. "Then...you must know her in reality...don't you?" Rising to his feet, Shinji asked, "You...you're actually connected to Pen-Pen, aren't you?"
"Indeed I am," admitted Mister P, without disclosing the fullness of that tie. "Then again, Misato's already drawn that conclusion. Once she completes her review of the materials she purloined from Himmel...well, who's to tell what other ideas she'll have?"
"...but why? You know that the way you're treating her is hurting her. And you clearly regret it! So what's the reason...?"
"To what degree are you willing to hurt those you love, if it be for a greater purpose?" he responded, almost rhetorically. "What lengths are you willing to go to for their sake, even if they'll hate you for it by the end?"
Certain words came to mind, if only because of the juxtaposition they served.
(August the 24th: he and Mana, surprised by Mister P's appearance amidst their mission, had had a rather interesting conversation. In response to his observation regarding whether or not Mister P was a villain, the bird-man seemed amused. "...it's important to consider possibilities, to be prudent and vigilant...but that's the nature with anyone who dares to be a teacher, a guide, or a protector, isn't it? Whether it's someone like Sojiro Sakura, or Misato Katsuragi, or Ryuji Sakamoto, or yours truly...what does it matter, in the grand scheme of things, if the mentor earns the trust of the mentee? So long as you chickadees survive and make it to the end...does it truly make a difference, if you trust me or not?" When he pointed out that this would have made things more difficult for Mister P, the bizarre entity retorted, "And what if the lessons I desire to teach require a healthy dose of skepticism? It is one thing for Sakura and Katsuragi to have tried to gain your trust and affection: they're practically serving as surrogate parents. But as for me...I don't have that constraint. Even if it means you kids end up hating my guts by the end, I'll be able to bear with it if it means you'll live.")
"...it would depend on the situation, I guess...and also whether or not they would be able to handle it?" Whatever 'it' was. "I just don't know what could justify not being upfront with her..."
"I'm sure you could imagine various scenarios," retorted Mister P. "After all...you're now very familiar with death, aren't you?"
Shinji briefly recoiled (even as, in the back of his mind, a certain Beast perked up with intrigue), as his thoughts drifted to notable individuals that had passed on since June. "...is that really it? Do you think Misato-san is at the risk of dying...?"
Mister P chortled. "Ah, I don't 'think'. I know. Her basic personality...her very nature, you could say...often inspires her to an end unbefitting for one of her stature. That's my opinion, at any rate...and given the stakes at present, I believe it is necessary to prolong her survival. Even if it makes making myself into a villain in her eyes."
Strangely enough, the words of another individual — echoing a similar theme — came to mind.
(September the 8th: as he spoke with Rei about just what Asuka was aware of in terms of the truth, he could not help but feel anguish over how much was riding on his shoulders. Ayanami understood his pain: "It is the Trial of the Wild Card...and the Curse of Evangelion...to bear responsibility for every single action you undertake. I would only advise that you think carefully before deciding whether or not to involve someone else...because neither you nor I can predict how our enemies will respond..." A pause. "To be aware of the dangers lying in wait for those you care for...to warn them, and make them carry a burden that was never meant to be theirs...or to keep them in blissful ignorance, and risk their resentment..." Her subsequent sigh unveiled untold tension and anxiety. "Such is a mother's lot...")
"...why do you feel like you have to be Misato-san's parent?" he wondered.
Mister P seemed intrigued by his question. "How do you mean?"
Shinji frowned, trying to formulate his thought as accurately as possible. "You don't trust Misato-san to behave in a way that will keep her alive...so you try to...manage her, I guess? And even though it hurts her...she'll still keep moving forward in spite of it. Even if she resents you, you don't see that as too big a price to pay...because you think it's for her own good."
"And is that an ideal parent, to you? Someone willing to let their child suffer, so long as some good was accomplished for the child in question?"
The complicated dichotomy between Gendo Ikari and Sojiro Sakura came to mind, whilst the nebulous form of his long-lost mother hovered elsewhere, without shape or form. "...I don't know. I think intentions matter a lot...but I think there comes a point where intentions aren't enough..."
Mister P chortled. "True...you could have all the intentions of a saint, yet carry out actions that lead to the ruin of many. As to whether one is right or wrong in that instance...well, I wouldn't dare to guess. After all, we tend to be our own worst critics."
"So why do it? You seem to think it's a bad idea, now...so why keep it up?"
"Hah! You misunderstand; I don't think it's a bad idea. The execution is one thing, but the idea itself...is one I will not apologize for."
"Yet you feel regret..."
Mister P smiled bitterly. "And when has regret been enough to pull one away from a path they're committed to? Regret that does not transform into a desire for repentance only serves to make one feel guilty...and that won't be enough by itself." With an insightful look, he added, "Somehow, I think you understand, on a fundamental level, just how much guilt a man can labor under without ever changing their mind..."
Shinji subconsciously shivered, wondering why those words hit so deeply. (What did he have to feel guilty about...?)
The Beast howled and laughed and raged.
"Oh, the day you'll remember...!"
"...will you ever tell Misato-san the truth...?"
"When we reach the endgame...or, heaven forbid, Misato manages to sleuthe her way to the truth." Mister P ruffled Shinji's hair, cheerfully messing it up. "But that's something to consider for later, eh? You have an Angel battle soon..." Turning away, the bird-man added, "Focus on what you must; even if it's your role, you don't have to involve yourself in the problems and disputes of everyone around you..."
Shinji frowned as Mister P walked away into the woods, vanishing from sight. "Mister P..." he murmured, feeling somewhat forlorn. (If nothing else, he had learned that Mister P — despite the way he carried himself — was not so above it all...)
xxxx
By the time Shinji returned to Tokyo-3, Hakone Academy had let out, and his friends had gathered near the central fountain near the entrance. Hikari politely provided him a brief summary (both verbally and handwritten) of what had been taught in class that day; however, to his surprise, Asuka was nowhere to be found.
"She took another mission. She opted to work until this evening," explained Rei. "I will take care of anything that occurs during the night."
That made sense; what didn't was the fact that, out of the group which had congregated in the Courtyards of the Academy, another one was also absent. "And Suzuhara-san?"
"Ah, Toji's gone to meet with the new custodian which took over for Sae Niijima," explained Kensuke.
That also made sense. "Ah..."
"...so, does anyone have plans otherwise?" asked Mayumi, looking around tentatively.
Kaworu suddenly clapped his hands together. "Well, I think we should gather for dinner, and discuss just how we're going to make Kensuke-kun's fourteenth birthday a smash."
Aida seemed downright perturbed by the idea. "Come on, I thought we already said it's too close to the new moon to do anything-!"
"Let us be honest: the discussion was going to happen regardless. At least this way, you'll have some input," retorted Kaworu.
...to be honest, that does sound like something we'd probably do. Suzuhara, Horaki, and Yamagishi especially, privately thought Shinji.
"...I guess I'll invite Mana-san then," relented Mayumi, seemingly content with the idea.
Kensuke, sensing that he would be outvoted, slumped over, his shoulders sagging. "...fine...but I pick where we eat dinner."
xxxx
/Kobayakawa Memorial Hospital, Tokyo-3, Japan/
Toji Suzuhara had been a bit uncertain, at first. After having Sae Niijima as his family's custodian for literal years, seeing someone new was a bit daunting. Even with Sakamoto-sensei by his side, there was still the hidden fear that the new guy would be a jerk.
Then the new guy had requested that they meet at his sister's room at the hospital.
His rationale had been pretty blunt, too.
("I'm taking over as custodian for the Suzuhara family, right?" the man had explained over the phone, set to speaker so Sakamoto-sensei could also hear. "I mean, I don't know all the details about her specific injury, but she's not dead, so she can still hear us talk, right?" A brief pause. "Er, not trying to be insensitive, but you get what I'm saying, right?")
Oddly enough, Toji understood exactly what Niijima-san's replacement had been saying.
Which was why he wasn't that irritated by the fact that Kazushi Miyamoto was sitting at the foot of Sakura's medical bed, looking rather simple relative to how professional Niijima-san had been. Clad in a gray blazer with blue jeans and a white turtleneck, Kazushi cut the image of a white-collar guy who didn't mind working up a sweat, or getting his hands dirty. (Toji couldn't help but privately think that it was one of the reasons that Niijima-san had picked him.)
"...so. Dorm life, huh?" Toji blinked, Miyamoto-san's voice pulling him out his inward musing. "Been a while since I've deal with anything like that. You've been getting along well?"
Toji nodded. "Yeah."
"No issues with your roommates?" Kazushi referenced his notes, brow furrowing with concentration. With short dark hair and an almost exaggerated pout, Toji couldn't help but think that his custodial substitute looked like a frustrated kid. (How little did Toji know, just how much he himself bore similar expressions during school.) "Nagisa, Aida, and Ikari, right?"
"Not really. Nagisa's honestly more irritating than Ken or Ikari."
Kazushi blinked. "Is that a fact?"
Sakamoto-sensei couldn't help but snort. "If you ever met Nagisa-san, you'd know. He's one of those...quirky types."
"...well, kids are allowed to be quirky," admitted Kazushi with a shrug. Glancing back over at Sakura's body, a rather somber look crossed his face. "Sucks, what happened to her. You've been a real trooper, though."
"...thanks," muttered Toji, unused to praise from a stranger.
"No, seriously. Kid loses his parents, and his only blood relative is bedridden. Yet from what I've heard from the staff here, you still take a lot of time out of your daily life to make her a part of it." Kazushi wrote something in his notepad, smiling to himself. "Gotta admire that sort of thing. Lot of kids in your situation would have a readymade excuse to be a jackass."
"Don't puff him up too much," jokingly warned Sakamoto-sensei, ruffling a hand through Toji's hair. "It's hard enough keeping him humble."
Toji huffed, brushing his sensei's hand away. "Come on, sensei..."
Kazushi muffled a snort, not quite so successfully hiding his smile. "Eh, I always feel like kids need to be told about the things they're doing well. I'll have time to nitpick later."
The rest of their meeting proceeded similarly, as Kazushi questioned Toji about his day-to-day life, and the overall trials and tribulations of being a Persona-user. Eventually, however, the substitute custodian asked something serious. "So...you going to be a part of the new moon operations?"
Toji sobered up, looking towards Sakura. "...I have been for both August and July. I'll do whatever I have to do."
"...just don't get so ahead of yourself that you forget about why you've come so far," remarked Kazushi.
"It's not like he'll be going into battle alone," reassured Sakamoto.
...the reason I've come so far, thought Toji, glancing at his sister's comatose form. How much had he endured for her sake? A lot; and he didn't begrudge her that. Yet, given his duties that came with being a Persona-user — much less being a friend of Shinji Ikari, involved as he was in some unbelievable conflict spanning time and space and mind and spirit — he couldn't help but wonder to what degree his feelings were a handicap. I can't be afraid of dying...'cause that'll keep me from fighting as hard as I need to fight. And with all I've told her about...my little sis would understand.
(He dearly hoped so.)
xxxx
/Room 23, 2nd Floor, Izanagi Dorms, Hakone Academy/
By the time Toji returned to Hakone Academy, his roommates had likewise reconvened. There was a scent of conspiracy wafting throughout the room; mostly from Nagisa. "What did I miss?" Toji asked.
"Lots of frank discussion about what we're doing for my birthday on the 12th," grumbled Kensuke from atop his bunk bed. "Which I maintain is something that's pointless to think about, because there's no way we'll have free time to do anything! It's the day before the New Moon!"
"And it's the thought that counts, Kensuke-kun," crooned Kaworu from his desk, his playful tone belied by how hard he was squeezing his stress ball. "Even if you can't accomplish all that you set out to do, it's still important to talk about, is it not?"
"...well, I think your idea of a 'school-wide battle royale' probably won't happen no matter what," murmured Shinji, who was busy writing in one of his notebooks.
"Do you really not think so?" asked Kaworu, eyes slightly widening with confusion. "One would think that a lighthearted melee amongst students would be preferable to your normal life-and-death struggles. School battles are a...common theme, yes?"
"A common theme for what?" reiterated Kensuke. "What have you been reading? Or watching? Because depending on the genre, 'school battles' can go...very wrong."
Kaworu chuckled. "A gentleman doesn't show and tell~"
And just like that, Toji checked out of the conversation entirely. "Yeah, I'm just gonna go to bed."
"Good night," remarked Shinji, even as Kensuke — concern rising at a rapid rate — tried to pester Kaworu as to what exactly he meant.
Meanwhile...
xxxx
/Room 1, 2nd Floor, Izanami Dorms, Hakone Academy/
Asuka Langley-Sohryu had manifested within the dorm's bathroom upon completing her missions, taking a long and very hot shower. (At least this school didn't skimp out on the water pressure.)
Upon emerging — clad in a fuzzy bathrobe, with her hair freshly blown dry — it was to the sight of two girls sitting at their respective corner desks. The third and most familiar girl was absent. "Where's Rei?"
Hikari looked up from her desk with a jolt, as if surprised to see her. "Oh. You were in there for a while," she impulsively remarked.
Asuka arched an eyebrow. "You have a problem with that?"
"Not specifically. I'm just not used to roommates who use so much water," Hikari explained.
Asuka hummed noncommittally, glancing over towards where Mayumi was sitting. "Anyhow, where's Rei?"
Mayumi answered in Hikari's stead. "She took a mission while you were in the shower."
"So First has already started the night shift, huh?" Dutiful of her. Hope she doesn't work too hard; the new moon is soon...
"She has." Mayumi abruptly arose from her desk, grabbing some night clothes from her wardrobe. "I'm going to take a shower now."
Asuka wondered at the bespectacled girl's somewhat short tone (unless she was imagining it?). Is she that frustrated I took that long in the shower? Eh, whatever; it's not a big deal. Her eyes tracked the movement of paper, and she reacted as though a wild animal had been provided for observation. "What are those?"
"Notes regarding the classes you slept through," explained Hikari.
"...what for?" wondered Asuka aloud, trying to decipher the Class Representative's angle.
Hikari looked honestly flummoxed. "Because...I don't want you to fall behind?"
"...ah." How precious. A little naive, to be honest. "Listen, I don't know who you think you're doing this for, but you don't need to spend your time or energy doing that. It's not a big deal."
"But...school is a big deal," Hikari replied, her voice slightly altered by the downward turn of her lips. "Not that your duty isn't more important. But you still want to have something available for after all of this, right?"
Oh, so she's one of THOSE types. Asuka huffed, making a show of grabbing the offered papers and putting them on her desk. "Look, the only reason I'm even attending Hakone Academy is because your country's stupid laws require it. I've had nothing but private tutors for years. Me sticking around in school is a waste of time. So I would appreciate it if you saved your energy for students who not only need it, but would also care about it." There. That should hopefully get the girl off of her case. Now she won't worry about me.
Hikari, to Asuka's disbelief, was disinclined to behave according to expectations. "Ikari-san and Ayanami-san are still managing to make it work. And beyond the academic part...it's about having a life beyond fighting. A normal life."
Asuka very nearly snorted. "Normal is overrated."
Her Other quietly read through an old diary, its pages marred with blood.
"Normalcy is something that's been denied to you."
There was a flicker of emotion in Hikari's eyes that Asuka couldn't identify. "I'm just...trying to make things easier. That's all. It's something I'd for any of the students in class. And since you're a student, I'm also doing it for you." Hikari seemed downright convinced by her own words.
...yeah, not buying it. "No you're not. You don't even know me. You're doing it for...well, I don't know if it's for someone else, or for yourself, but it's certainly not for my sake. Because this school stuff is just...a big waste of my time. Anything that keeps me here and not where I'm needed...well, I think you can tell what my opinion about that is."
"...I suppose," murmured Hikari, a complicated expression flashing across her face.
"Glad we got that settled," said Asuka, giving Hikari a friendly pat on the shoulder. "So that's good news for you! No need to worry about me, and you can instead focus on students who actually need the help of the teacher's pet." With those words said, Asuka — feeling too tired to get out of her bathrobe, because man the fuzziness was kind of comfy right now — clambered onto her bunk. "I'm going to bed. Night."
"...good night."
Asuka half expected the girl to protest further; it wasn't until she heard Hikari slide her chair back to sit down...and the sounds of pencils sliding across paper filtered through the air...that she finally let sleep take her...
xx
Mayumi, upon exiting the bathroom many minutes later, blinked at the odd feeling in the air; Asuka was asleep in her bunk, and Hikari was studying in silence. Huh. The tension in the air feels...odd...maybe I'm imagining things? Alas, there were more important things to focus on. I wonder what Aida-san would appreciate for a birthday present...
(All thoughts of the strange atmosphere in the dorm room fell away from her mind...)
xxxx
END OF 9/10/2015
xxxx
Author's Notes: After that meeting with Mister P, Emperor is now at Rank 5!
/Asuka
/doesn't know how to 'people' very well, does she
/also, if you count the time since the end of September 9th
/September 10th took nearly four months to get through
/ugh